Texas lawyer takes aim at 'revenge porn' site

Updated 8:44 am, Friday, January 18, 2013

A Texas lawyer has filed a class-action suit for women who claim spurned partners posted stolen nude photos of them on a “revenge porn” site.

John S. Morgan of Beaumont said his lawsuit focuses on a site where ex-boyfriends and ex-husbands apparently have posted private photos of their exes without permission in retaliation for breakups.

He said 23 women from around the state have signed onto the suit, which will be filed in Galveston County, and he anticipates more will join. The lawsuit will claim invasion of privacy and mental anguish.

“I'm going after the revenge porn industry,” Morgan said. “Those sickos who post private information of women without their knowledge.”

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The lawsuit targets the hosting site. Morgan said he also plans to sue the members and subscribers to the porn site.

“The only way to destroy this industry is to go after the people who fund it,” he said.

Morgan said a Beaumont woman, Holly Toups, came forward after she found a picture of herself on the site. Other women whose pictures were posted without permission have joined her, he said.

He said about half the women don't know who posted the pictures, and the other half suspect their former partners.

“Every one of them is emotionally devastated. Some have become suicidal, others hermits,” Morgan said. “It's empowering for them not to just have to sit there in silence and have their photos sent all over the world.”